Cricket fans everywhere are buzzing with one big question: Will Shubman Gill be back for the second Test against Australia, starting December 6, 2024, in Adelaide? The young batter missed the first Test after injuring his thumb during a practice game, but there’s some good news—Gill seems to be on the mend.

How’s Gill Looking Now?

Gill picked up the injury while fielding during a match simulation at the WACA in Perth, leaving India without one of their top talents for the series opener. He’s been advised to rest for up to two weeks, and the team didn’t take any chances for the first match. But during a pink-ball practice match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, Gill batted at No. 3 and smashed a solid 50 runs before retiring hurt. That’s a big hint that he’s getting back to his best.

After the game, Gill sounded optimistic. “I was just trying to get a feel, to be honest, and see how the injury is reacting. It actually went much better than I expected, so I’m really happy,” he shared in an interview.

What Does This Mean for the Lineup?

Here’s where it gets tricky. India crushed Australia in the first Test, winning by a whopping 295 runs. KL Rahul stepped up as an opener in Gill’s absence and looked fantastic, especially in the second innings, where he scored 77 runs and built a huge partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Now, with Gill likely available, team management has some big decisions to make.

The obvious choice is to bring Gill back at No. 3, which means Devdutt Padikkal, who didn’t make much of an impact in Perth, would sit out. Another option could be to shuffle the batting order, maybe moving Rahul to the middle so both he and Gill can stay in the XI.

Why Gill’s Return Matters

Gill has been phenomenal in Australia before, and his ability to handle pace and bounce makes him a key player for the series. Even though India didn’t miss him much in Perth, having him back strengthens the batting lineup as the team gears up for the rest of this high-stakes series.

What’s Next?

The second Test is a day-night match under the lights in Adelaide, which means the pink ball will be in play—always a challenge for batters. If Gill is fully fit, he’s expected to slot back into the side. Fans will have to wait for the final call, but all signs point to his return.